Leicester 3, Wigan 0, Positives and Negatives, Player Ratings and Match Report, League One Fixture

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Russell Martin made changes to his line-up, with John Lundstram out of the action, serving his suspension, it was time for a starting debut for Will Smallbone. Conor Chaplin also given his starting chance, replacing Sammy Braybrooke.

Some believed Caleb Okoli should have also been rested, but he was back in and today no errors and a clean and steady job done. Warren O’Hora also starting, after a bit of trouble vs. Luton, but credit to Russell Martin for keeping his back line in front of Alex McCarthy in goal.

The formation was the same with Luke Thomas to the left and Will Alves to the right, having Emil Riis up front as usual, no place for Admir Bristric on the bench, trusting other smaller players to fill in if needed.

Leicester started the game with a bit of advantage, no goals or big chances but after 17 minutes it was time. A corner via Caleb Okoli, found Emil Riis on the far post and an easy tap in for the big Dane. Leicester were 1-0 up and in the lead.

Then we thought Leicester would do well, but Wigan gained control and tested Alex McCarthy, who made two impressive saves.

Leicester couldn’t build on their goal and struggled to play smoothly, with movement and passing lacking precision. The only major positive, was leading 1-0 at halftime.

All three in the bag 💼#LEIWIG | @BCGame pic.twitter.com/AuWJkdUt1X
— Leicester City (@LCFC) October 27, 2026

Leicester controlled the second half early on, Wigan defending with many players in a low block. Despite Leicester’s efforts to attack deep, it became hard to break through the crowded penalty area.

You usually use crosses and shots to break down a low block, but Leicester looks to struggle with those elements of the game, Will Alves one bright spot, but strangely very seldom there are players where the crosses arrive, so it looks difficult at times.

Sammy Braybrooke was rested from start today, coming on after 60 minutes. Liam Cullen also coming on at the same time, replacing Conor Chaplin and Will Smallbone. The team got more power and just a few minutes later, Russell Martin is rewarded.

The game was put to bed in the 67th minute, when Luke Thomas cross in a perfect pass, to find Emil Riis who scores his 2nd of the evening and 6th league goal this season. He is an effective player Emil Riis, and that is what he is here for. Leicester are 2-0 up and Wigan looks to have little or no more power to give this a go.

Russell Martin makes more changes, giving minutes to BDCR, Wes Burns and Ilari Kangasniemi, all of the much involved towards the end to shake up the Wigan defence. BDCR lively in certain situations, Kangasniemi going forward and teared down in the penalty area, but nothing rewarded. Wes Burns fights on from his flank.

In stoppage time, Leicester gets a penalty for a foul on Harry Souttar. BDCR scores, making it 3-0 for Leicester.

Leicester never looked solid in the game, but today they where effective and no one can complain if you keep a clean sheet and score three goals, so well done to the Leicester team this time, a good result and well earned 3 points.

Positives

Able to change players and get a good effect, giving Conor Chaplin and Will Smallbone a starting chance
Alex McCarthy making a number of crucial saves, he is growing game by game
Being able to rest Sammy Braybrooke, more and important games coming up, hopefully he is back in against Stevenage, dropping him would be sensational, despite having quality options to call on
Scoring 3 goals and getting effect with substitutions
Producing enough to secure a 3-0 win
Keeping trust in the defence and not changing after a very bad performance from Okoli vs. Luton
BDCR with a good penalty, showing he still can do it
Lovely to see the fight in the final minutes and really going for that third goal

Negatives

It looks difficult at times, passes missed and far from fluid, it looks as everything cracks and letting opponents getting opportunities based on Leicester not able to keep their concentration and again not using the long ball enough
With the type possession Leicester have, 64% today, the scoreline in such a game should be 5-0 to 6-0, not 3-0, and shots on goal as well as chances missed should have been on a much higher volume
A lot of minor errors in passing, trying to play the ball into areas were you can be in high danger of lossing the ball and be counter attacked
Havng just five shots on goal is a low rate, with such high possession

Line Up:
McCarthy 7, Okoli 6, Thomas 6, O’Hora 6, Souttar 6, Smallbone 6, Chaplin 5, Page 6, Riis 7, Doyle 5, Alves 6 Subs: Burns, Cullen, Kangasniemi, BDCR, Braybrooke